Scandiobabingtonite is a rare scandium-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the babingtonite group. Collectors typically look for it as small, dark, triclinic crystals formed in the cavities of granitic pegmatites or alpine-type veins.
Is this scandiobabingtonite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch scandiobabingtonite with a known reference. Scandiobabingtonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Scandiobabingtonite leaves a greenish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Scandiobabingtonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, greenish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic.
Often confused with
Scandiobabingtonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Babingtonite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Aegirine leaves yellowish-grey.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Augite leaves grayish white.
Often found alongside scandiobabingtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with scandiobabingtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Fe²⁺ScSi₅O₁₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish Black
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find scandiobabingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Baveno, Italy
- Piz Giuv, Switzerland
- Miass, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where scandiobabingtonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, orthoclase, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify scandiobabingtonite?+
Where is scandiobabingtonite found?+
How much is scandiobabingtonite worth?+
What rocks look like scandiobabingtonite?+
What minerals are found with scandiobabingtonite?+
What kind of rock does scandiobabingtonite form in?+
What is scandiobabingtonite used for?+
Find scandiobabingtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
